Spectrum analysis on mixed domain oscilloscope

December 9, 2015

A mixed domain oscilloscope released by Tektronix combines up to six instruments in one unit including full spectrum analysis capabilities.

Tektronix has introduced the MDO4000C Series of Mixed Domain Oscilloscopes that can be configured with up to six instruments in a single unit including a full spectrum analyser. Starting with the highest-performance oscilloscope of any 6-in-1 instrument from Tektronix, engineers can upgrade their MDO4000C instruments over time to meet their most demanding challenges and add functionality as needs change or budgets allow.

As with previous generations in the MDO4000 series, the MDO4000C provides a synchronised view of analogue and digital waveforms along with RF spectrum traces, making it the ideal debug tool for Internet of Things (IoT) and many other embedded engineering applications. Like the 6-in-1 MDO3000 introduced last year, the MDO4000C expands on its core oscilloscope functionality with options to add a spectrum analyser, arbitrary/function generator, logic analyser and protocol analyser. A digital voltmeter (DVM) is available for free with product registration.

“Integrated instruments have proven highly popular with our customers because they can cover more debugging and analysis tasks with a single instrument, allowing them to keep engineering programmes on track and get to market faster,” said Chris Witt, general manager, Mainstream Oscilloscopes, Tektronix. “The increased performance of the MDO4000C – what we call 6-in-1 plus – makes it the optimal tool for solving tough design problems.”

As an oscilloscope, the MDO4000C features long record length, fast sample rate and fast waveform capture rate to help uncover elusive problems. Performance enhancements compared to the MDO3000 integrated oscilloscope include:

* More scope performance – 20 Mpoint record length, up to 5 GS on all channels, >340,000 waveforms/s capture rate and a 50% larger display
* Up to 6 GHz spectrum analyser with better performance, the ability to synchronise views across time and frequency domains and the ability to perform vector signal analysis
* Logic analyser timing resolution down to 60.6 ps and independent logic thresholds per channel enabling capture of multiple logic families at once
* Protocol analysis for up to three buses simultaneously with triggering up to 500Mb/s

Compared to standalone instruments, the MDO4000C saves time lost from having to look for and configure instruments and delivers outstanding value without compromising on performance. It also enhances usability through integration. For instance, the built-in arbitrary waveform generator makes it easy to capture signals on the scope, modify them, and then replay them through the generator, enabling margin testing by making it easy for users to add noise to any signal.

The MDO4000C can be configured as a base oscilloscope with a competitive entry price. A 3- or 6-GHz spectrum analyser, arbitrary/function generator, 16 logic channels or protocol support can be added at the time of purchase, or added later as an upgrade, allowing it to precisely conform to every lab’s needs and budget. Oscilloscope bandwidth extends from 200 MHz to 1 GHz and can also be upgraded at any time.